Barbados, Caribbean, Food & Drinks, Travel

Barbados: The (maybe) Last Hoorah

23 February

Ok, I’m clearly WAAAY behind on writing this as I am no longer in Barbados, rather I’m typing this from my cozy little 23-story condo apartment in Bangkok. That being said, my final month in Barbados was a whirlwind for many reasons, but one of the best parts was having my mom visit for 10 days, despite the relentless humidity (her least favorite weather phenomena). With her there, I finally took the time to explore more of the island’s beauty and typical tourist offerings.

In addition to making several questionable life decisions and thus learning an almost equal amount of valuable life lessons, I discovered a few things about myself, which even at my big ‘ol age of now 40, is as refreshing as it is marginally traumatizing (because now I guess there’s inner work and reflection to do or something? *insert melting smiley face emjoi here*).

Nevertheless, between watching my mom slowly melt in the Caribbean heat and trying to convince her that a rum punch at noon was perfectly acceptable vacation behavior, my remaining time in Barbados was anything but dull. Somehow, between her constant search for air-conditioning and my shocking discovery that, after decades of avoidance, I ACTUALLY LIKE SOME SEAFOOD (who knew?!), I managed to experience a whole new side of the island.

Now that I’m essentially settled in Bangkok, happily marinating in the humidity, it’s time to finally spill the tea on my last month in Barbados, before my memory replaces the details with a hazy montage of beach days and rum (and Rude Boy) fueled decisions.

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Adventures:

Mount Gay Rum Distillery Tour: If you’re in Barbados and not sipping rum, are you even doing it right? While Mount Gay offers several tour options at both their distillery (on the far north part of the island) and Welcome Center (located in Bridgetown), my mom and I chose the Monday-only Premium Rum Flight distillery tour, as it was the only option that included drop off and pick up from almost anywhere. The Mount Gay Rum Tour was part history lesson, part tasting party, and 100% worth it. We learned about the distillery’s centuries-old craft, sipped on some of the finest rum in the game, and left with a new appreciation for just how smooth (and dangerous) a good pour can be. Let’s just say my mom and I walked out feeling a little extra cheerful. Can’t make it all the way to the north end? Check out the Mount Gay Visitor Center and Foursquare Distillery (with pickup) tour instead.

Turtles & Monkeys Tour: This all-day tour was basically a National Geographic episode come to life. We galvanted all over the island, exploring lush nature reserves, watching monkeys swing through the trees like they owned the place, and hanging out with the chillest sea turtles in the bluest waters, like Crush level chill. It was the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation, plus, my mom got to check “swim with turtles” off her bucket list. Win-win. There are several variations of this tour, so find the best that works for your vacay or long-term stay here.

The VERY stylish safety gear provided by the staff at Mount Gay Distillery, complemented by the dreaded Millenial peace sign.

Even without a car, I was lucky enough to make it to Bathsheba beach on the East Side of the island twice during my time in Barbados.

Little Squirt ready to go find dad… and maybe Nemo!

...they found a cluster of hatchlings that had somehow crawled up the beach to their hotel patio instead of down toward the water. Knowing the tiny creatures wouldn’t survive the relentless Bajan heat, they quickly scooped them up and began returning them to the sea.

Food:

Surfers Cafe: With my mom’s arrival also came my move to a larger apartment, this time with AC, located further south on the Island, near Maxwell Beach. This gave me the opportunity to try some new restaurants, one of which was Surfers. The food was great, we went there for both lunch and breakfast on different days, and it was more than reasonable when it came to portions and price. If you find yourself somewhere between Maxwell Beach and Oistins, I highly recommend.

Random Bar & Restaurant: I wish I could remember the name (and apparently, so does Google Maps), but this hidden gem in Christ Church is worth the hunt. Nestled at the corner of Fair Holmes Gardens and Maxwell Road, this cozy little bar serves up big flavors without breaking the bank. For just $20 USD, I got a large plate of perfectly cooked Mahi Mahi with peppers and onions, rice and peas, coleslaw, and fried plantains. It was an absolute steal. Even my mom, the ultimate “we got food at home” enforcer, was impressed. If you’re in the area, just look for the blue light over the porch seating and the little Jack Russell with an unlimited supply of zoomies.

Oistins Fish Fry: While I’ve mentioned Oistins before, by the time I left Barbados, it had become a near-weekly ritual (the Swordfish and chips, ie: fries, were my go-to) so, of course, I had to bring my mom along for the experience. This time, there was no monsoon, and we arrived early (5:30 PM), but even at that hour, the heat under the tents was too much for mama, so she set out on a mission to find seating elsewhere, while I waited for the food. Thankfully, with the early arrival, she was able to snag a picnic table right on the beach, just steps from the waves. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, she settled in with the ocean breeze keeping her cool and I took to making sure we took a few snaps to capture the moment.

Local & Co: Ahhh… the restaurant that showed me I actually WAS missing out by not eating seafood! Not only was this gorgeous restaurant a total vibe on the inside and the patio, the food was phenomenal and the AC was a welcome reprieve from the intense Speightstown heat. While the prices are a little on the high side, even by Barbados standards, my mom and I shared the Mahi-Mahi with lobster and a kale caesar salad and still had a few bites left over by the time we were both full.

A Little R&R:

Turtle Release: One morning on the warm sands of Dover Beach, a friend and I spotted an older couple with an ice bucket, crouched where the waves met the shore.

“Turtles,” my friend said.

For a single blonde-moment I was puzzled, then OMG… it clicked! I ran over to the kind British couple, who were indeed releasing baby turtles into the ocean. They explained that when they woke up that morning, they found a cluster of hatchlings that had somehow crawled up the beach to their hotel patio instead of down toward the water. Knowing the tiny creatures wouldn’t survive the relentless Bajan heat, they quickly scooped them up and began returning them to the sea.

By the time we got there, only four baby Squirts remained, but they graciously let me release two of them into the waves and into the next stage of their, hopefully, long lives. As corny as it sounds, once the adrenaline and euphoria wore off, I actually shed a tear. It’s an experience I will never, never forget.

Karma Spa: What does one do on the final day of their mother’s vacation? Pamper themselves of course! While my mom does not have the same passion for self-care and pampering as I do, she’ll never turn down a massage. Enter the tranquil Karma Spa, located in the Sugar Bay All-Inclusive resort. My mom and I both got their Karma Tranquility package, which consisted of a Back, Neck and Shoulder massage, a “mini-facial” that was almost an hour on its own and a pedicure, all for about $150. If I ever make it back to beautiful Barbados, my first stop will definitely be Karma Spa.